BEST HOSTELS IN LONDON: My 14 Favorites in 2019

Posted: 2/18/2019 | February 18th, 2019

London is one of my recent favorite cities in the world. I always liked London but it wasn’t until I spent a few weeks there last summer that I fell in love with London.

I didn’t want to leave.

London is a sprawling city, covering 607 square miles, and home to over eight million people.

While the city may be expensive (though, like any big city, it has lots of free things to do there), it’s popularity means there are lots of hostels in the city. Hundreds upon hundreds.

I can’t tell you how many hostels I’ve stayed in over the years (Dozens at least. I stayed in six alone on my last trip!) but, with so many hostels to choose from, here is my list of the best hostels in London.

It will help you avoid spending time figuring out what hostels on Hostelworld really as great as the reviews say.

14 Best Hostels in London

1. Generator

This location is Generator’s first hostel (it’s now a huge chain spread all over Europe), and it’s housed in an old police station. You can’t go wrong with this chain. Like most of their hostels, Generator London has lots of modern, upscale fixtures, a huge common area, a bar, and a restaurant (no common kitchen though). There’s also a pool and foosball table. The beds are plush but there are not many charging plugs in the walls, so you’ll have to fight for space. It’s one of the cheapest hostels in London, which is rare considering its location near King’s Cross Station. It’s a short walk from Regents Park, Covent Garden, and the British Museum.

Beds from £25 GBP ($32 USD). Privates from £80 GBP ($104 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Generator London!

2. Clink78

Fun fact: Clink78 is housed in an old courthouse building in King’s Cross where British rock band The Clash once stood trial. Some of the rooms are even former jail cells! There’s a huge downstairs kitchen / bar area where you can work, eat, socialize, and drink. They host a lot of unique events, like solo traveler meet-ups and DJ + Bingo nights. The dorms are kind of cramped (that eight bed really should of been a six bed) but they have curtains on the side, individual lights and outlets, and lockers. Bathrooms are super clean too. I really liked this hostel. It’s one of the better ones in London (hence why it’s on this list).

Beds from £17 GBP ($22 USD). Privates from £60 GBP ($78 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Clink78!

3. Astor Hyde Park

This hostel is in a quiet neighborhood right off Hyde Park, and within walking distance to some of London’s best museums like the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert. There’s a great party vibe, and the friendly hotel staff will help you arrange tours and activities. Plus the £1 breakfast can’t be beat! I love the old wooden décor of the building as you feel more like you’re in a home than a hostel. The dorms are huge and there’s plenty of room to sprawl out. Try to avoid the rooms on the upper floors as the hostel has no elevator.

Beds from £16 GBP ($20 USD). Privates from £70 GBP ($89 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Astor Hyde Park!

4. Wombats City Hostel London

The Wombats City Hostel is located in a beautiful refurbished building that used to be a sailor’s hostel. This led to the current décor and the wooden bunk beds that are, unfortunately, a bit squeaky. The rooms are a nice size, and there are activities planned most nights of the week (like walking tours and karaoke). The hostel’s central location is one of its best features – it’s super close to London’s main attractions like the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and City Hall. It’s got a good vibe to meet people in but it could use a kitchen!

Beds from £20 GBP ($25 USD). Privates from £110 GBP ($140 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Wombats City Hostel London!

5. Astor Museum Hostel

This award-winning hostel is right in front of the British Museum and a few minutes from Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and Covent Garden. The rooms are basic, but it’s a good value, and there’s a cozy lounge and kitchen area. Partake in breakfast for just £1. Free dinners are also offered frequently. It’s not as quaint as their Hyde Park branch but I find this location better!

Beds from £18 GBP ($23 USD). Privates from £75 ($95 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Astor Museum Hostel!

6. The Walrus Hostel

This hostel close to Parliament and Big Ben has a busy pub downstairs where hostel guests get a discount! The breakfast is simple but free and there’s a decent sized kitchen to cook your own food. The entire place has a quaint Old-English feel, with wallpapered rooms and antique-style furnishings. Request a room on the lower level if you don’t want to climb too many stairs as this place also has no elevators! The common area with its eclectic mix of furnture is my favorite part of this hostel.

Beds from £15 GBP ($19 USD). Privates from £60 GBP ($76 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at The Walrus Hostel!

7. St. Christopher’s Village

This hostel chain has eight London locations, but I like the Village venue the best – especially for being so near the Borough Market (an absolute haven for foodies). It’s also a short walk to the London Eye and Tower Bridge. This is a pretty big party place, with an outdoor terrace, regular beer pong nights, and musical performances. There are a ton of social events to get you well acquainted with your fellow travelers! It’s the first hostel in London to have cozy pod-style beds. They are actually super comfortable and provided one of the best sleeps I had in the city!

Beds from £19 GBP ($25 USD). Privates from £75 GBP ($97 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at St. Christopher’s Village!

8. The Dictionary

The Dictionary is in the artsy, hip neighborhood of Shoreditch in East London (one of the best spots for eating and nightlife in the city). The hostel itself has a great rooftop terrace, a bar for drinks, and they offer free breakfast. There’s a big kitchen in case you want to cook too. The rooms are bare but the beds are fairly comfortable, they’re spacious, and kept clean!

Beds from £15 GBP ($19 USD). Privates from £73 GBP ($93 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at The Dictionary!

9. Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage

The owners have repurposed a beautiful old house into this hostel. The interior has traditional English décor in the lobby area (including a decorative knight in shining armor). The beds are comfortable and have privacy curtains. There is an elevator, but the top floors can get hot in the summer so I’d avoid them. Though it is small, the kitchen has everything you need, and the downstairs bar is great to sit and have a beer. I’m a huge fan.

Beds from £17 GBP ($22 USD). Privates from £64 GBP ($81 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage!

10. YHA London

YHA has six London locations, but the Earls Court and Oxford Street locations are my favorite. These hostels both have dorms and private rooms. The rooms are typically very clean and safe, and both locations host activities every week (including free walking tours and movie nights). The Earls Court location is in a recently refurbished Victorian building. The Oxford Street location is colorful and cheerful, but not great for families, as it does get pretty loud in the evenings.

• YHA London (Oxford Street) – Beds from £18 GBP ($23 USD). Privates from £45 GBP ($57 USD).
• YHA London (Earls Court) – Beds from £17 GBP ($22 USD). Privates from £55 GBP ($70 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at YHA London (Oxford Street)!

—-> Click here to book your stay at YHA London (Earls Court)!

11. Hostel One

This hostel is awesome. Guests get a free homemade dinner each night and can join in on organized activities (including drinking games). It’s a very social hostel with friendly staff and a good vibe. The rooms are a bit cramped and pillows a bit flat but the vibe here more than makes up for the beds! There are two locations (one in Camden and one in Notting Hill).

• Hostel One Camden – Beds from £20 GBP ($25 USD). Privates from £80 GBP ($102 USD).
• Hostel One Notting Hill – Beds from £19 GBP ($24 USD). Privates from £92 GBP ($117 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Camden!

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Notting Hill!

12. Barmy Badger

I’ve always had a good night’s sleep here. It may be the memory foam mattresses or the cushy pillows, but this hostel has most everything you need. The beds each have reading lights, USB plugs, and power sockets. A nice breakfast of cereals and fresh fruit is included, and there’s free coffee and tea all day. They sometimes host BBQ parties and other events.

Beds from £22 GBP ($28 USD). Privates from £60 GBP ($76 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Barmy Badger!

13. Park Villa

Park Villa is a boutique hostel in a grand Georgian Regency style estate in the Mile End Old Town of London. It looks amazing from the outside, and there are nice common spaces; the rooms have comfy beds, but are nothing special. It’s a bit farther from the city center, but it’s quiet, clean, and well maintained. There is a kitchenette and you can pay £3 for a continental breakfast. Free tea and coffee are usually available, and the staff is knowledgeable and provides great London sightseeing tips. You can easily get to Oxford Circus, Holborn, and Tower Hill from here.

Beds from £19 GBP ($24 USD). Privates from £57 GBP ($72 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at Park Villa!

14. SoHostel

This large hostel (I kept getting lost in the hallways) is in Soho with a rooftop “tiki”-style bar, nightly drink specials, quiz nights, live music, and karaoke. They have a big common space too with a restaurant has some cheap food (like £5 pizzas) and beer. The beds are comfy and the showers super clean. It was an awesome place to stay and I even extended my time there. If you book directly with them, they often have special rates.

Beds from £25 GBP ($32 USD). Privates from £55 GBP ($70 USD).

—-> Click here to book your stay at SoHostel!

***

London has a lot of hostels but instead of spending hours trying to figure out where to stay, this list of the best hostels in London will save you time and ensure you got a great place to stay.

My all time best hostel in London on this list is Clink 78 or SoHostel.

Got a hostel not on this list? Add it in the comments!

Book Your Trip to London: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting London?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to London with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Busta Rhymes Lost His Cool About Overhead Bin Space on a Flight to London

Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

It turns out even Busta Rhymes gets touchy over overhead bin space. The hip-hop star was met by police upon arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport Tuesday morning after getting in a heated argument with a fellow passenger who had her luggage in the overhead bin above his first-class seat.

Busta — whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr. — reportedly boarded a British Airways flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport just before the door closed. The Daily Mail reports that after boarding with five carry-on bags, Busta found another first-class passenger’s luggage in the overhead bin. He demanded to know who the luggage belonged to, and when a young British woman said it was hers, witnesses report that Busta became agitated, aggressive, and began insulting her.

When she began crying, the woman’s husband intervened, and the rapper became aggressive toward the man, challenging him physically. A witness told the Daily Mail that when the altercation became more heated, other passengers stepped in and called a staff member to intervene.

Airline staff spoke with Busta and the other passengers to ensure that there would be no further trouble.

The other passengers were given the option to take a later flight to London and Busta was allowed to remain on the five-hour, overnight flight. There was no further incident. Upon arrival in London around 6:52 a.m. on Tuesday, the rapper was met by police and questioned, but not arrested.

“Our cabin crew and captain reassured all the customers involved,” a British Airways spokesperson told the Daily Mail. “All those in the cabin were given the option of moving away, and the flight did not depart until everyone confirmed that they were happy to continue.”

The 47-year-old singer is visiting Europe to perform on the Greek island of Mykonos and at a festival in Romania.

How Will and Kate Plan to Make Prince George’s First Day of School 'Normal'

Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage

This story was originally published on August 30, 2017.

No parent wants their child to feel like the odd kid out at school.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will do their best to ensure that Prince George experiences his first day of school just like any other child — with his parents dropping him off.

The royal family will accompany their son to his first day of preschool on September 7, according to The Telegraph.

Although it’s likely that George will have different presentations for show-and-tell or perhaps bring a slightly different packed lunch, the royal family is doing its best to give him a normal-ish school experience this year.

Related: All the Countries Prince George Traveled to Before His 4th Birthday

But, then again, George’s schooling won’t be all that normal. He’s signed up for Thomas’s Battersea in London, where fees cost about $21,600 per year. The Good Schools Guide described the institution as a “big, busy, slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy.”

The decision to send George to this school echoes a choice made by Princess Diana 30 years ago. Prince William was the first British royal to attend schooling outside of the palace. It remains to be seen if Kate Middleton will take another hint from Diana and mark her children’s school events in her official royal calendar.

Nevertheless, for those visiting London and hoping for a royal spotting, Thomas’s on the South Bank is a promising new addition.

The Definitive Guide to Will and Kate's London

London has a long history with royalty.

The capital has been the seat of British power since Alfred the Great “refounded” it in 886. For well over 1,000 years the city has been home and office for British royalty—and that’s likely how it will stay for the foreseeable future.

Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that they will move back to London with their two children in the fall.

Even though the royal family has hidden away in country homes over the past few years, they are no strangers to the British capital. William grew up in London, and Kate grew up just 45 minutes outside the city.

But this time in London will be different than when they lived there before. After university, the couple moved back to the city, becoming fixtures on the nightlife scene and bopping around between fashionable restaurants, bars and shops. Although it wasn’t all fun and games—Kate was employed as an accessories buyer for a local shop while William was flying a helicopter for the Royal Air Force.

When the family moves back to London they will likely hit up a few of their favorite haunts. Here’s where you may be able to spot them in, around and outside of London. And if you're planning a walking tour, consider investing in Kate Middleton's boat shoes or sneakers.

How to Visit David Bowie’s Old Haunts in New York City and London

During his lifetime, Bowie was a songwriter, rock star, actor, music producer and celebrity—all while remaining a perpetual outsider.

Just as it is impossible to pin Bowie down as one type of person, he cannot be tied down to just one city. In honor of what would have been his 70th birthday, we’re looking at two of the great cities Bowie called home.

For all those who want to pay homage to the legend, these are the spots in New York and London where Bowie would shed his iconic persona and just blend into the city.